Santa speaks out

Jolly old elf talks about toy-making, tramautic experiences

December 24, 2006

By R. SHAWN LEWIS
Index-Journal managing editor

You’d better watch out, you’d better not pout.
The Index-Journal has learned that a certain jolly old elf from the North Pole will be visiting the Lakelands overnight. The elf, who answers to many names in many nations, is popularly known in these parts as Santa Claus.
The busy toymaker agreed to an exclusive telephone interview earlier this week with The Index-Journal. The following is a transcript of the conversation.

Index-Journal: First of all, Mr. Claus, I’d like to say thank you for pausing for a few moments to talk with me. So, how is this year’s Christmas shaping up?
Santa Claus: Oh, it’s going to be a great one. The overwhelming majority of children have been very good this year. In fact, our coal order is way down. I know that doesn’t make the good folks in West Virginia too happy. (He laughs.) Ho, ho, ho. As for the adults, well, they’re another story. I think ol’ Santa will have to rely on a higher power to deliver the gift of peace on earth this year. There are some things even I can’t do.

I-J: Making millions of toys in a matter of months every year must be a daunting task. How do you do it?
SC: With a lot of love. It’s our passion — mine and the elves’, that is. And please call them “elves.” We’re not PC (politically correct) at the North Pole. Besides, they’re proud of the title and the legacy of fine toy-making it carries. The elves are skilled artisans. It’s amazing the quantity and quality of toys they develop each year. I’m even surprised by it. Especially the video game consoles. Why, I was the first one at the Pole to have a PlayStation 3, and Mrs. Claus is a wiz at Nintendo’s Wii.

I-J: Delivering all those toys in a single night, relying merely on a reindeer-powered sleigh ... how does that work, Santa? Do you have the power to suspend time? Are the reindeer turbo-charged? And does the sleigh come with power door locks, CD player and the works?
SC: (He laughs.) Ho, ho, ho. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me that. I’d love to tell you how it all works, but I can’t divulge trade secrets. The important thing is that it does work — and the world is a better place because of it. As for the sleigh, I tweak it a little every once in a while, but it’s mostly the same set-up I’ve used for decades now. But when I’m not flying around the world, I prefer Mustangs. I’m a muscle-car guy. Vroom! Vroom!

I-J: What’s the most traumatic moment you’ve had delivering toys on Christmas Eve?
SC: Oh, there are so many ... where do I begin? Of course, you’ve probably heard about the time the weather was so bad that I almost didn’t get to take off. It was so snowy and foggy that I couldn’t see three feet ahead of the sleigh. So, I called down to the reindeer garage and asked Mel (the manager) if he had anything that could help me.
He recommended using a young, but untested reindeer with a really shiny nose to guide the team. He was right on the money. Fred the reindeer did a fantastic job that night.

I-J: Fred the reindeer? Don’t you mean Rudolph?
SC: No, no, it was Fred. “Rudolph” the red-nosed reindeer just had a better ring for the song. (He laughs.) Ho, ho, ho. Fred the red-nosed reindeer didn’t work for the recording label.
Oh, yes. I remember another traumatic experience that actually happened last year in Greenwood. You know how children are always trying to stay up late in hopes of seeing me? Well, this precious brother-and-sister team decided they would alternate sleeping an hour at a time so one of them would always be awake. It was a brilliant idea — and it almost worked.
I waited and waited on the roof of that house until I thought surely I’d be late finishing the toy run. Finally, I decided to give it a go ... even though little Timmy was still awake in the living room and little Brandy was about to wake up for her shift. I shimmied down the chimney, stopping just short of the floor.
So here I am, wedged in the fireplace trying to think how I was going to deliver these toys without being seen. All of these years, you know, I’ve never been caught in the act. I take great pride in my record.
That’s when I remember a new trick Mrs. Claus had taught me called “texting.” I’d never done it before, but I figured it was worth a shot. I pulled out my cell phone and checked my “contacts.” Sure enough, Timmy and Brandy’s parents were among the 200 million or so I had stored. I sent their mommy a quick “911 ... Santa in distress” message, and she was able to bail me out. She sent Timmy and Brandy to their rooms, and before she could return to the living room, the deed was done.
(He laughs.) Ho, ho, ho. That was a close one.

I-J: No kidding, Santa. You were really lucky that night. ... Do you ever get tired of all the cookies and milk?
SC: Heavens no. I love it. I’m particularly fond of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, double-stuffed Oreos, “seven-layer” cookies ... oh, heck, they’re all good. You should see some of the wonderful treats the children leave me. It’s fantastic — a real food lover’s paradise.
I get sushi in Japan, schnitzel in Germany, squid in Australia. The list goes on and on. I’m salivating just thinking about it.

I-J: Speaking of “wonderful treats,” Santa, will there be a Krispy Kreme store in Greenwood’s stocking this year?
SC: Well, Shawn, there are some things even Santa can’t deliver. I will leave a lump of coal in that company’s stocking for you, though ... with an encouraging note, of course. It would be nice next Christmas Eve in Greenwood to get a few plates of “Hot Doughnuts Now.”

I-J: Would you do that for us, Santa? Wow! That’s great. One last thing, because inquiring minds want to know: Clemson or Carolina fan?
SC: (He laughs.) Ho, ho, ho. I’m not going there. Some things are better left alone. You know, I could put you on the naughty list for that question.

I-J: Uh, no, Santa, that’s OK. Thank you so much for your time and good luck tonight!
SC: Thank you, and be sure to tell all the little boys and girls — and the big ones, too — in the Lakelands to go to bed early so when they wake up in the morning, they’ll have a very Merry Christmas.
And also, please remember that I’m not the reason for the season. I’m just here to spread good cheer. God bless everyone and have a happy New Year! Ho, ho, ho!

‘It’s good to be alive’

Generosity on the menu at annual dinner

December 24, 2006

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

First there is the sunshine.
After several days of clouds and rain, its warming touch is more than welcome — even on a December morning.
Then there is the smell of home.
Long before you ever reached the R.L. Stevens Center on Saturday morning, the smell of deep-fried home cooking greeted you in a way only a Southerner could fully appreciate.
Then you hear the laughter.
It’s not muted, idle chatter, but the deep and jolly bellows of more than a few gentlemen having a really good time.
It’s the sound of gratitude giving back.
For there will be no hunger here today.
No sir.
The Little River Association Brotherhood, the Golden Girls, County Councilwoman Edith Childs and scores of others will have absolutely none of that.
For the sixth annual Free Christmas Dinner, there is more food than a hungry man can shake a stick at.
There’s fried chicken, green beans, fried corn on the cob, hot dogs and all the turkey one can eat.
Then there are the goodies inside, where brownies and cake nearly fall from the corners of a large table.
It brings a smile to Childs’ face, and a bright, happy smile it is that lights up the indoor room.
“We’re just so very excited to be here,” the councilwoman said. “We have a lot of support. The list of people and churches that have come out to feed this community is so long. On Christmas I represent everybody.”
Organizers of Saturday’s dinner were prepared to feed well over 300 people if necessary. Apparently, the word began to circulate. As the minutes passed on and on, people came.
Mary Sayles stood next to the dessert table, helping others to bag treats for folks to gobble up after dinner.
“This right here is the reason for the season,” the Macedonia Baptist Church member said while the choir filled the hall with its harmonious melodies. “This is what Christmas is all about. Not the gift giving, but feeding the hungry and the unfortunate.”
Henry Hudson is new to the area, but he still decided to come out and try to lend a hand.“Ms. Childs said there was plenty of work to do,” Hudson said. “There was no need to just sit around the house.”
Melvin Jenkins had a word for the gathering. It was an uncomplicated message, but one of meaning.
“It’s good to be alive,” he told the crowd.
Many who traveled to the dinner — some by foot — have fallen on hard times.
Life has often been unforgiving to many who came.
Jobs have been lost. Relatives have forsaken them and drugs have taken their toll on them, body and soul.
Jenkins offered a word of encouragement.
“Regardless of the situation, whatever that may be, it’s good to be here today and be living,” he added.
Those who have felt the sunshine, smelled the food and heard the word would find it difficult to disagree.
Maybe tomorrow, but definitely not today.

Dreams of the man in red

How does Santa do it? Kids share their theories

December 24, 2006

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

The countdown has been ongoing for weeks.
And disregard anything you’ve ever heard about NASA and countdowns, because this is the real thing.
Spaceships? Forget that. Rockets? No way. This is the only countdown that ever really matters to kids.
It’s the one involving the big guy in the red suit with all the packages, Rudolph and all those little elves.
The excitement is beginning to have a visual effect on little hearts and minds as the big moment draws ever closer.
At the Learning Vine Child Development Center, children in Kayla Lewis’ 4- and 5-year-old room have been counting down the days with the aid of red and green construction-paper rings hung from the room’s ceiling.
As each day passes, another ring disappears.
There’s only one ring left.
“Things have been exciting around here,” Lewis said of the last few days. “We’ve been counting down the days and we have a (construction-paper) chain going so they know when Santa’s coming. We talk about it during circle time.”
The children are then asked for examples of “circle time” talk. Most are reluctant, at first, to speak with the stranger carrying the big camera and the notebook.
But as soon as they hear that the subject is Santa Claus, all the walls come tumbling down. They have plenty to say about Santa. After all, the big day is almost here.
Morgan Crocker reveals why one must leave Santa cookies and milk. The answer, as it turns out, is quite simple.
“Santa can’t make cookies,” the 5-year-old said. “He doesn’t have time and he doesn’t know how to make them.”
Crocker is hoping that Santa has received her request for a bicycle — always a popular Christmas gift — and a Strawberry Shortcake doll in time.
But suddenly, a problem other than cookies emerges. Crocker’s home has no chimney or fireplace. The other kids standing close by crowd in when Crocker is asked how she feels Santa will deal with this predicament.
“Mom and dad are going to unlock the door and let him right in,” Crocker answered without skipping a beat.
The other kids appeared to sigh in relief.
“Well, that’s a good thing,” they seem to say to one another with glances and understanding nods.
Carlee Stockman has asked for a new baby doll, a snowman globe and a South Carolina Gamecock flag.
“He’s going to walk in the door,” she said. “He’s going to carry it all in his big red bag.”
Addison Looper has wished for a pink bicycle and a television. She’s asked how in the world Santa will be able to manage all that bulky hardware down a small chimney.
“He’ll carry it in his sack,” she said. “It’s a magic sack.”
Opinions differed on Santa’s exact method.
Austin Holland said the big guy would pull his motorcycle down the chimney. Ethan Thomas and Summer Sherfield are going to have Santa just drop their dirt bike and baby doll, respectively, down the old chimney.
Meanwhile, Santa is going to push Olivia Jones’ Dora the Explorer cash register down the chimney.
Santa appears to be a pretty crafty fellow, indeed.
“He’s going to come down the chimney so fast that he won’t even get dirty,” Mary Catherine Dill said.
Trust in Santa is at an all-time high.
But just in case the elves have had any trouble in delivering their Christmas lists, the children have posted their most desired gift wishes on the wall outside the door at the Learning Vine.
One such reminder speaks volumes for Santa’s renowned abilities: “Santa I forgot what you call what I want, but I know you know what it is so please put it under my tree.”
The youngster need not worry.
Santa has plenty.

GHS wrestling soaring

December 24, 2006

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports editor

Not long after taking over the Greenwood High School wrestling program three years ago, Greg Brewer put in an order for 20 warm-up suits in the Eagles’ traditional black and gold colors.
That might have seemed like an audacious number back then, as the Eagles the year before had only six competitors on their roster. However, with well more than five times that number now, some of the 2006 Greenwood wrestlers are not able to be color-coordinated during warm-ups.
“I guess we’ve got to make a new order,” Brewer said, jokingly.
But having more than 30 student-athletes at his disposal, lack of warm-up suits notwithstanding, is a problem Brewer relishes having in his third season with the Eagles.
“Having that many out allows me the opportunity to move guys around and try to play matchups,” Brewer said. “I’m able to put our best lineup against the other team every night out. Whether that means some guys are wrestling out of weight, we want our best guys out. In years past, we just had to make sure we had guys in all the weights and not have any forfeits.”
Forfeits — and the subsequent six points awarded to the opposing team — were common occurrences for junior Matt Carroll when he was on the Greenwood team the year before Brewer joined up.
In Carroll’s first year out, the Eagles went into every match so far behind the eight-ball they were on a different pool table. Having fewer or near half the required 14 weight classes, the Greenwood wrestlers gave up six points for each forfeit and trailed their opponent before they stepped foot on the mat.
“We couldn’t win a match,” said Carroll, who wrestles at the 145-pound weight division. “It was tough. We’d try to win our individual matches, but we weren’t together as a team. It wasn’t about the team. It was only individual.”
The Eagles team doubled in size the next year when Brewer arrived. But with a new system and having what amounted to bodies, not necessarily experienced wrestlers, the team managed two wins.
“The year before I came we had six guys out, and it’s impossible to win with only that many going,” Brewer said. “So the first year we were here we were able to fill out a full lineup. We didn’t win very much.
“But last year, we were able to be more competitive.”
But Greenwood nearly doubled again in Brewer’s second season, and the team responded with 12 team victories.
The Eagles are soaring this season with another year in the Brewer system. The team picked up seven wins just in the month of December alone.
“Now we can worry about the team and not just ourselves,” said sophomore Chris Abeyta, a three-year wrestler who wrestles anywhere from 145 to 160. “I enjoy winning and it was tough going out knowing that we wouldn’t win as a team. There’s extra motivation playing for your school.”
Carroll agrees.
“We’re a lot more of a team now,” Carroll said. “Sometimes when I’m down on my back, I can look to my teammates now to help lift me up.”
And the Eagles are 14th in Class AAAA, according to the most recent rankings done by SCMat.com. Carroll and Abeyta are each ranked eighth in their perspective weight classes: Carroll in 145 and Abeyta in 152. Teammates James Long and Michael Hellman also are ranked. Long is sixth at 125, while Hellman is 12th at 119.
“I’m absolutely happy with the progress of the team in my three years,” Brewer said. “I think we’re doing wonders. I think in a couple years we’ll be one of those teams that everybody in the state talks about.”
The team’s success has the Greenwood wrestlers thinking about something that hasn’t been a possibility before now: truly competing for a state title as a team.
Last season, Greenwood reached the team tournament but was ousted in the opening round. This season, the Eagles are hoping to make a run.
“There’s been major improvements in the last couple of years in talent and in training,” Carroll said. “Now, we’re not as much worried about filling out a roster. Now, we’re worrying about winning matches.
“It feels better. Now I can focus on us getting to the playoffs.”
Ron Cox is the sports editor for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: rcox@indexjournal.com.

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Opinion

The story of Christmas yesterday, today and ...

December 24, 2006

Contrary to the negative images some paint in these times, the story of Christmas, as noted many times before, never grows old. Why? It is as new at this moment as ever, and it is, despite the naysayers, eternal.
Christians in South Carolina, as they do all over the world, know this ageless story word for word, and they never tire of hearing it. Despite growing efforts to bypass the meaning of Christmas, Christians keep the story alive, in their children, certainly, but wherever Christianity leads.
Secular pressures and influences come and go from time to time, but Christmas - Merry Christmas - never falls along the way.
The Christmas story, according to Luke, tells us of the eternal hope that fills Christians’ lives all year long:

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem ..... to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, fear not; for behold, I bring good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Thus was the beginning, back in Bethlehem. It is so today, 2006 years later in South Carolina. It will be thus in the world for all tomorrows yet to come ..... even in a changing world.